Who You Are

 My name is Sofia Duran. I am 22 years old and currently studying at the Roski School of Art and Design at USC. I come from Colombia, a unique country filled with nature, music, colors, vibrant life, and people. My family is made up of my dad, mom, and younger brother. When I imagine my future, I see myself working at a design consulting firm, focusing on branding, graphic design, and marketing. In the near future, I see myself living here, in the US, working in a big company, and learning from the best. During the weekends I see myself doing the things I love, like hiking, running, playing guitar, and spending time with friends. But, in the distant future, I see myself in Colombia, finally settling into a home and hopefully starting a family. I plan to get there by working hard and dreaming big. My plan consists of making conscious decisions in my day to day that are aligned with my long term goals. I want to live my life slowly, with harmony, and confidence in my path. I believe I am like my parents in many aspects. I am disciplined, organized, and resilient like my dad. And I am adventurous, active, and brave like my mom. Nevertheless, I also see many differences with them. I am more sensible, self-reflective, and thoughtful. I am very passionate about personal growth and have been able to prioritize my mental health. I do think that for the majority of my life I have been operating under someone else's expectations rather than my own. Due to my background growing up, the way I was educated, and my family’s beliefs, I have adapted a structure and mindset of what is the “correct” way to live life that is not necessarily mine. But, changing this from one day to another is very difficult. Some of the first steps I have taken to work on this is acknowledging and becoming aware of the aspects of my life in which these invisible structures and expectations are most present. Other than a relative, someone I really admire and who serves as a role model is Karol G, a Colombian singer. She is someone who has been true to her essence and has never changed who she truly is regardless of her fame or success. In the wild, I feel a special connection with chipmunks. Whenever I see one of them I feel connected to nature and happy. I feel related to their agility and their fun chasing one another. On the other hand, in the nature kingdom, I've had a significant encounter with the plant “Frailejon”, a plant adapted to the low temperatures and high humidity of the Colombian paramo landscape. These plants are very special because they take very long to grow and they are essential to the environment. 

Sun sign: 15 Degrees Gemini

Moon sign: 15 Degrees Sagittarius

Rising sign: 17 Degrees Capricorn